Columbus on the Record November 30, 2012

>>> THE OHIO SENATE PUTS THE BRAKES ON ANTI-ABORTION BILLS.
CAPTIONS PROVIDED BY WOSU-TV, THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
>>> FROM WOKU, THIS IS "COLUMBUS ON THE RECORD."
JOINING MIKE THOMPSON, THE STATE HOUSE REPORTER AND BILL COWEN,
STATE HOUSE REPORTER.
BRIAN ROTHENBERG, AND MARK WEBER, REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST.
>> TWO CONTROVERSIAL BILLS APPEAR TO HAVE MET THEIR END, AT
LEAST FOR THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
THE HEART BEAT BILL WAS BLOCKED FROM COMING TO A BAN THAT WOULD
BAN ABORTIONS AFTER A FETAL HEART BEAT IS DETECTED.
THAT COULD COME AS ERI AS SIX WEEKS INTO THE PREGNANCY.
THEY TRIED TO END A RUN AROUND KNEEHOUSE, BUT THAT WAS BLOCKED
TOO.
THE OTHER ONE WOULD HAVE DEFUNDED PLANNED PARENTHOOD AND
THAT WENT NOWHERE.
WHY WAS TOM KNEEHOUSE THIS BILL NOT COUPLE UP IN THE LAME DUCK
SESSION?
>> HE AGREED WITH OHIO RIGHT TO LIFE IN THAT THERE'S SOME
CONSTITUTIONAL CONCERNS AND IT MIGHT PUT AT RISK AS -- IF IT
BECAME LAW, AND IT WAS CHALLENGED WENT THROUGH THE
COURTS, IT WOULD PUT AT RISKS OTHER VICTORIES THAT THEY HAVE
CHIPPED AWAY AT OVER THE YEARS.
HE WASN'T CONVINCED THIS WAS THE RIGHT MOVE.
HE SAID THE ELECTION RESULTS, WE SHOULD FOCUS ON JOBS AND THE
ECONOMY RIGHT NOW.
HE DID THIS PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE.
HE THREATENED WITH -- WHAT'S CALLED A DISCHARGE PETITION
WHERE 17 PEOPLE FROM THE FLOOR COULD SIGN A PETITION TO SAY
WE'RE GOING TO MOVE THIS RIGHT TO THE FLOOR VOTE.
AND HE SAID, OH, AYE, WITH WE'RE GOING TO MOVE IT TO RULES AND
REFERENCE COMMUNITY.
THE FAITH TO ACTION PEOPLE ON FRIDAY CALLED ON THE MEMBERS OF
THE LEGISLATURE TO BRING IT BACK OUT OF RULES AND REFERENCE ON
WHAT -- NEW YEAR'S EVE AND DO A VOLT THEN.
I DO NOT SEE THAT HAPPENING.
>> MARK, IS THIS A FIGHT THE REPUBLICANS SHOULD BE HAVING
RIGHT NOW?
>> NO.
I'M PRO-LIFE AND THIS IS NOT ABOUT THE PRO-LIFE CAUSE, BUT
WHETHER OR NOT YOU BELIEVE THE THEORY THAT THERE'S ENOUGH VOTES
RIGHT NOW TO OVERTURN ROE VS.
WADE ON THE SUPREME COURT.
AND EVEN THOUGH MOST CONSTITUTIONAL SCHOLARS
PRIVATELY WILL CONCEDE THAT THE FOUNDATION OF ROE VS. WADE IS
VERY TENUOUS, THE FEAR IS YOU SEND THIS CASE UP TO THE
SUPREMES AND THERE MIGHT BE A MAJORITY TO ACTUALLY REWRITE ROE
ON A MORE STRONG FOOTING WHICH WOULD OF COURSE GO AGAINST
EXACTLY WHAT PRO-LIFE PEOPLE WANT.
SO IT WAS -- IT'S NOT A VERY SMART THING TO MOVE FORWARD.
EVEN IF YOU'RE PRO-LIFE WHICH AS I AM.
>> THAT'S THE LEGAL ARGUMENT AGAINST NOT MOVING ON THIS.
WHAT ABOUT THE POLITICAL ARGUMENT.
THERE WAS A GENDER GAP?
ROMNEY LOST, WE SHOULD LOOK AT THAT AND FOCUS ON OTHER THINGS.
>> IT IS EASY TO OVERSTATE WHAT HAPPENED IN THE ELECTION.
REMEMBER MITT ROMNEY WON WHITE WOMEN.
MITT ROMNEY WON MARRIED WOMEN.
MUCH BETTER ARGUMENT FOR A RACIAL GAP THAN A GENDER GAP.
HAVING SAID THAT, IT'S GOOD GOVERNMENT AND GOOD POLITICS TO
FOCUS ON THAT.
>> THE PROBLEM IS ALSO THERE WAS AN OVERWHELMING DIFFERENCE
NATIONALLY AMONG WOMEN ESPECIALLY SINGLE WOMEN AND
OTHER WOMEN ON THESE ISSUES.
AND THERE WAS A REAL BACKLASH IN SOME OF THE SENATE RACES AROUND
THE COUNTRY AND INDIANA AND DOWN IN MISSOURI OVER CANDIDATES THAT
WERE TOO EXTREME ON THE ISSUE.
IF YOU LOOK ON THE BALANCE OF IT, YEAH, THE LEGISLATURE'S
CONTROLLED BY REPUBLICANS BUT MORE DEMOCRATS VOTED FOR
DEMOCRATIC -- MORE DEMOCRATS VOTED ACROSS THE BOARD IN OHIO
THAN REPUBLICANS IN THOSE RACES.
SO IT'S EASY TO OVERREACH.
KUDOS TO SENATOR KNEEHOUSE, I USED TO WORK IN THE HOUSE.
HE KNEW HIS RULES VERY WELL.
>> THESE TWO BILLS COULD COME BACK NEXT YEAR IN A NEW
LEGISLATURE.
I THINK THERE'S A GOOD CHANCE -- I MEAN THEY'LL BE INTRODUCED.
BUT THEY WON'T GO ANYWHERE.
ONE REASON IS JOHN KASICH IS RUNNING FOR RE-ELECTION.
HE DOESN'T LIKE -- I MEAN, HE IS ANTI-ABORTION, BUT HE DOESN'T
LIKE THESE MORAL ISSUES AND SIDE ISSUES.
HE LIKES TO FOCUS ON THE MONEY ISSUES, THE ECONOMY, AND THAT'S
WHAT HE WANTS TO RUN ON.
I WOULDN'T BE SURPRISED IF HE'S TELLING REPUBLICANS, YOU KNOW,
IN THE BACK ROOM, LOOK, COOL THIS ABORTION STUFF.
LET'S JUST DEAL WITH THE ECONOMY.
>> RIGHT.
DOESN'T SOUND LIKE THEY'RE LISTENING THOUGH.
IS THERE A CHANCE THAT LIKE THE NEW SENATE PRESIDENT IS GOING TO
PUSH THIS?
HE WAS ONE OF THE FOLKS WHO TRIED TO DO THE END RUN.
THIS BILL COULD COME TO A VOTE IN THE SENATE.
>> HE SAID HE WAS IN FAVOR OF HOUSE BILL 125, THE HEART BEAT
BILL.
HE SAID HE WASN'T IN FAVOR OF DOING A DISCHARGE BILL.
AND HE WAS REMOVED TO MAKE SURE IT DID NOT POP BACK OUT AGAIN.
I THINK THAT KEFAUVER, HE HAS TO FIND HE HAS TO WALK MORE OF A
COMPROMISING LINE AND WORK MORE -- BUILD MORE BRIDGES SO
WE'LL SEE.
I DO THINK KELLY COPELAND WHO'S FROM NARAL PRO-CHOICE OHIO SAID
THIS IS A -- THIS IS AN ISSUE DELAYED NOT DEFEATED.
AGAIN.
>> THIS IS THE LATEST CHAPTER OF WHAT WE SEE.
SOME ELECTED OFFICIALS IN OHIO ARE FOCUSED ON PRIMARY
ELECTIONS.
REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS AND OTHERS ARE MORE WORRIED ABOUT
GENERAL ELECTION.
THIS SHOWS THE DIVIDE BETWEEN THE TWO GROUPS.
>> OKAY.
WE'LL GET TO THAT IN A MOMENT.
PART OF THE REASON FOR THAT.
REPUBLICANS IN CONGRESS ARE TRYING TO STAY UNITED IN THEIR
OPPOSITION TO TAX INCREASES BUT SOME HAVE SAID THEY PLAN TO GO
AGAINST PART OR ALL OF GROVER NORQUIST NO NEW TAXES PLEDGE.
OHIO REPUBLICANS IN CONGRESS SEEM TO BE STICKING WITH
NORQUIST, SENATOR ROB PORTMAN AND PAT TIBERI AND STEVE STIVERS
WILL NOT SUPPORT TAX INCREASES.
THE TAXES WILL INCREASE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR IF THERE'S
NO DEAL.
ARE REPUBLICANS ARE MORE WILLING TO RENEGE ON THE NORQUIST
REQUEST OR SOFTEN ON IT?
>> FIRST OF ALL, I DON'T KNOW ANY LAWMAKERS WHO MADE ANY
PLEDGE TO GROVER NORQUIST.
I KNOW SOME WHO PLEDGED THAT A GOVERNMENT SPENDING AND
BORROWING TOO MUCH MONEY SHOULDN'T BE RAISING TAXES.
>> HE PRINTED THE PLEDGE --
>> WELL, SURE.
BUT THE PEOPLE ARE SENT TO WASHINGTON BY THEIR VOTERS AND
SENT BY VOTERS WHO ARE PAYING IN SOME CASES 40, 50, 60% OF THEIR
INCOME WHEN YOU COUNT ALL THE DIFFERENT TAXES OUT THERE.
THEY FEEL OVERTAXED.
WHETHER THE REPUBLICAN PARTY OUGHT TO WORK WITH THE WHITE
HOUSE TO FIND A WAY TO SOLVE THE FISCAL CLIFF, I THINK EVERY
RESPONSIBLE LEGISLATOR WANTS TO DO THAT.
WE HAVEN'T HAD MUCH TALK ON THE CUTTING OF THE SPENDING SIDE.
YOU CAN TAKE EVERY DOLLAR OF EVERY MILLIONAIRE -- TAKE EVERY
DOLLAR AND ALL THE PROFITS OF THE TOP FORTUNE 400 COMPANIES,
YOU COULDN'T PAY FOR EVEN SEVEN MONTHS OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
TO RUN.
THAT'S TAKING EVERY DOLLAR OUT THERE.
SO THIS IS LARGELY A SPENDING PROBLEM.
THE PARTIES MAY HAVE TO FIND SOME WAY TO WORK TOGETHER.
>> THIS IS A SIMPLE PROBLEM.
IT'S WHO'S GOING TO PAY FOR THIS?
AND WHEN YOU TAKE OFF THE ISSUE OF EXTENDING THE BUSH TAX CUTS
AND EXTENDING THIS, THIS IS NOT A PERMANENT THING.
YOU KNOW, YOU'RE SAYING THAT THE TOP 2% EARNERS IN THIS COUNTRY
MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE MIDDLE CLASS FOLKS IN THIS COUNTRY.
LET ME SAY THAT IT'S PRETTY OBVIOUS IN THIS RECOVERY AND
SOME OF THE SLOW RECOVERY WE HAVE HAD THAT WHEN YOU GIVE
MONEY TO PEOPLE THAT PUT IT INTO WALL STREET THERE'S A WALL
STREET RECOVERY.
BUT AS WE LEARNED IN THE '90s WITH BILL CLINTON WHEN PEOPLE
SPEND MONEY, YOUR ECONOMY COMES BACK.
AND SO THE FIRST STEP IS DEAL WITH THE MIDDLE CLASS ISSUES.
AND QUITE FRANKLY, WHO'S GOING TO PAY?
AND I THINK THAT THE PROBLEM THAT YOU'RE SEEING IN CONGRESS
RIGHT NOW IS THAT THE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP IS STARTING OUT WITH
THIS NORQUIST PLEDGE WHERE IT'S LINE YOU KNOW WHAT?
YOU GUYS HAVE TO PAY BECAUSE WE'RE PROTECTING THE GUYS.
>> I THINK THE REPUBLICANS ARE SOFTEN ON THIS.
FOR INSTANCE, GETTING RID OF SOME OF LOOPHOLES THAT GENERALLY
BENEFIT THE WEALTHY AND TERRY CASEY WAS TELLING ME TODAY --
HE'S A REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST SAYING INSTEAD OF INCREASING THE
RATE TWO OR THREE OR FIVE POINTS MAYBE ONLY ONE OR TWO POINTS.
THERE'S HINTING THERE'S SOME WRIGGLE ROOM THERE.
>> THE DEMOCRATS -- THE INDICATIONS ARE THEY DON'T WANT
TO SEE, AT LEAST LIKE HARRY REID, THEY'RE SAYING THAT THEY
DON'T WANT TO GIVE UP ON ENTITLEMENTS.
THEY DON'T WANT TO SEE THE MEDICARE AGE RISE, ELIGIBILITY
RISE TO 66, 67 YEARS OLD.
>> WELL, IT WOULD BE WILDLY UNPOPULAR.
BUT THE THING THAT IS THAT THE DEFICIT PROBLEM IS KIND OF LIKE
A DIET.
YOU HAVE TO EXERCISE MORE.
AND EAT LESS.
IF YOU WANT TO LOSE WEIGHT AND BE FIT.
AND IT'S THE SAME WAY WITH THE BUDGET.
YOU HAVE TO MAYBE PUT IN MORE MONEY THROUGH MORE REVENUES,
WHETHER YOU GET IT THROUGH DEDUCTIONS OR THROUGH RATE
INCREASES AND THEN YOU HAVE TO MAKE CUTS.
AND NEITHER -- YOU KNOW, NEITHER SIDE IS ALL THAT APPEALING, BUT
THAT'S THE SITUATION WE ARE IN.
>> ONE PROMINENT ECONOMIST SAID A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO WE
SHOULDN'T RAISE TAXES DURING TOUGH ECONOMIC TIMES.
IT WOULD HURT OUR ECONOMY.
THAT ECONOMIST OF COURSE WAS BARACK OBAMA.
HE SEEMS TO HAVE FORGOTTEN HIS ON ADVICE.
>> NO, THAT'S NOT NECESSARILY NOT TRUE.
>> BUT THAT'S WHAT HE SAID.
ASK ANY AMERICAN WHETHER THIS IS TOUGH ECONOMIC TIMES, THEY'D SAY
IT IS.
>> WHEN YOU SAID IT PROPERLY.
>> HE'S ALSO DEALING WITH THE COST OF THE WAR AND HE'S DEALING
WITH ALL THE OTHER COSTS.
AND HE'S TRYING TO PROTECT THE PROGRAMS THAT HELP PEOPLE THAT
ARE THE MOST NEEDY.
BY THE WAY, THOSE PROGRAMS MOST ECONOMISTS RIGHT NOW SAY IF WE
LET THIS THING GO OVER THE CLIFF IT'S GOING TO AFFECT OUR ECONOMY
IN A MAJOR WAY.
THAT'S NOT REALLY FAIR.
>> IF EVERYBODY AVOIDING WHAT REALLY NEEDS TO BE DONE IS A TAX
INCREASE THAT DOES AFFECT THE MIDDLE CLASS.
THEY ALL SAY TAXES ON THE RICH ARE AT THE HIGHEST POINT AS THEY
HAVE BEEN IN -- LOWEST POINT IN A LONG TIME.
LOWER THAN WHEN CLINTON WAS IN OFFICE, BUT MIDDLE CLASS TAXES
ARE LOWER THAN THEY WERE WHEN CLINTON WAS IN OUT OF.
ARE WE GOING TO SEE INCREASES MORE THAT AFFECT THE TOP 2%?
>> EVEN IF BARACK OBAMA GETS HIS WHY TO TAX THE PEOPLE WITH
$250,000 OR ABOVE, THAT'S ONLY A TINY PATCH.
THAT'S NOT THE WHOLE FIX.
I THINK, YOU KNOW, AMERICANS SHOULD BE WARY OF THAT.
BECAUSE THAT DOES NOT FIX THE WHOLE PROBLEM.
THERE HAS TO BE -- THERE HAS TO BE A MUCH BROADER APPROACH TO
THIS LIKE CHANGING THE ENTITLEMENT PROGRAMS.
MAKING CUTS.
MAYBE, YOU KNOW, HAVING EVERYBODY PAY A LITTLE MORE OR
RESTRUCTURING THE TAX CODE.
THERE NEEDS TO BE -- THE THING IS, IF WE GO OVER THE FISCAL
CLIFF EVERYBODY GETS A TAX INCREASE BECAUSE THE BUSH ERA
TAX CUTS WILL BE -- WILL LAPSE.
SO THAT MEANS EVERYBODY GETS A TAX INCREASE AND WE HAVE ALL THE
DRAMATIC SPENDING CUTS.
SO, YOU KNOW, NOT A VERY APPEALING SITUATION RIGHT NOW.
>> SO WE HAVE DRAMATIC SPENDING CUTS NO MATTER WHAT.
EVEN IF THE DEMOCRATS DO WIN, MORE TAXES --
>> AND IT'S EASY TO FORGET THAT AMERICA IS BORROWING $20 BILLION
A DAY JUST TO STAY DEAD EVEN.
AND IF YOU DON'T THINK ABOUT THAT, YOU DON'T REALIZE HOW THE
BIG THE PROBLEM IS.
MOST AMERICANS AREN'T FOCUSING ON IT.
>> OKAY.
BACK HERE IN COLUMBUS, THE KASICH ADMINISTRATION JOBS
EFFORT, HIS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT EFFORT IS MET WITH NEW ADS.
LET'S TAKE A LOOK.
♪♪
>> NO ONE STARTS OUT STRIVING TO BE AVERAGE.
THERE ARE NO PARADES FOR MEDIOCRITY.
NO MONUMENTS TO EMPTY SUITS.
HERE WHAT WE CELEBRATE IS PASSION, INNOVATION.
ACTION AND GOOD OLD FASHIONED HARD WORK.
IN THE PAST YEAR ALONE, OHIO BUSINESSES HAVE CREATED MORE
JOBS THAN ALMOST EVERY OTHER STATE IN THE COUNTRY.
AND IT'S ONLY THE BEGINNING.
THERE ARE SO MANY NEW SUCCESS STORIES HERE IN OHIO.
TELL US YOURS AT THRIVE IN OHIO.COM.
>> KIND OF -- WE HAVE NOT SEEN THAT AD BEFORE THE NOVEMBER
ELECTION.
EVEN THOUGH THAT JOHN KASICH NEVER APPEARS IN THE AD, HIS
POTENTIAL OPPONENT, FITZGERALD, ARE THEY PROMOTING THE ADS OR
ARE THEY PROMOTING THE GOVERNOR?
>> I THINK THEY'RE MOSTLY PROMOTING OHIO AND TRYING TO GET
SOME BUZZ ABOUT OHIO.
CHANGING THE IMAGE.
WE'RE NO LONGER THE RUST BELT STATE.
I THINK THE BIGGEST -- THE MOST TELLING THING, THE COLUMBUS
DISPATCH DID A STORY ON THIS AND THEY QUOTED CHRISTY TANNER THE
CEO OF JOBS OHIO.
THIS TYPE OF PAID ADVERTISING IS CONSISTENT WITH WHAT I HELPED
LEAD UNDER THE STRICKLAND ADMINISTRATION AND IT'S ALSO
CONSISTENT WITH THE WORK I SAW AS A DEVELOPMENT OFFICIAL UNDER
TAFT AND VOINOVICH.
SHE HAS BEEN ON ALL THE ADMINISTRATIONS AND SHE'S SAYING
THERE'S NOTHING -- YOU KNOW, AS YOU POINT OUT, KASICH IS NOT IN
THE ADS.
IF HE WAS, YOU CAN MAKE A STRONG CASE THIS IS A RE-ELECTION AD.
BUT HE'S NOT IN HERE.
>> THERE IS ONE THING THAT BOLSTERS THE DEMOCRAT'S
ARGUMENT.
AND SOME OF THE ADS THE CLOCK STARTS ON THE START OF 2011.
WHEN JOHN KASICH TOOK OFFICE.
INSTEAD, WITH THE JOB GROWTH BEGAN IN 2010 WHEN TED
STRICKLAND WAS IN OFFICE.
DOES THAT LEAD TO PERHAPS A LITTLE BIT OF A --
>> I THINK THE JOB CREATORS KNEW THAT JOHN KASICH WAS COMING ON
BOARD.
SO THIS -- I AGREE WITH BILL.
OHIO -- LOOK AT MICHIGAN.
THEY HAVE SPENT SO MUCH MONEY ADVERTISING MICHIGAN AND GETTING
BUZZ AROUND MICHIGAN.
OHIO NEEDS TO DO AT LEAST THAT MUCH BECAUSE WE ALL KNOW WE LIVE
HERE.
WE LOVE THIS STATE.
THERE'S A GREAT STORY TO BE TOLD.
NOTHING WRONG WITH TELLING IT.
>> THE FACT THAT THESE ADS -- A LOT ARE RUNNING IN OHIO.
DOES BOLSTER THE ARGUMENT, WELL, IF YOU'RE TRYING TO GET OTHER
PEOPLE TO MOVE INTO OHIO, WELL, THEN JUST RUN THE ADS ELSEWHERE.
THEY'RE AIRING THEM -- PUTTING THEM IN THE "WALL STREET
JOURNAL." AND CHICAGO, PITTSBURGH AND
INDIANAPOLIS.
STILL A LOT OF THEM ARE IN OHIO.
WHY ARE THEY RUNNING THOSE?
>> THIS IS -- YOU KNOW, THE REAL QUESTION HERE WITH -- IS WAS ED
FITZGERALD WRONG AND THE ANSWER IS PROBABLY NO.
I DON'T CARE WHICH GOVERNOR DID IT AND WHICH PAST YEARS.
THIS IS SIMPLY A FEEL-GOOD AD.
I'M NOT SURE THIS DOES ANYTHING FOR JOB CREATION.
I DON'T SEE A CEO IS SAYING, I'M GOING TO MOVE TO OHIO.
IF WE'RE SERIOUS ABOUT JOB CREATION WE HAVE TO START
ZEROING IN ON OKAY IF WE GIVE MONEY TO A COMPANY TO CREATE
JOBS LET'S MAKE SURE THEY CREATE THE JOBS.
LET'S TRY TO HAVE MORE STRINGENT PROTECTIONS TO MAKE SURE THOSE
DOLLARS ARE BEING SPENT IN A WAY THEY NEED TO BE.
I THINK THIS IS FEEL-GOOD STUFF.
I DON'T CARE WHO THE GOVERNOR IS.
I DON'T THINK IT'S NECESSARY.
>> THEY'RE GOOD ADS.
THEY'RE FEEL-GOOD ADS.
>> VERY WELL DONE.
>> VERY WELL DONE.
THEY'RE POSITIVE.
ESPECIALLY ALL THE NEGATIVE ADS OF THE PAST YEAR.
NICE TO HAVE SOME POSITIVE ADS ON THERE.
COULD THEY BE EFFECTIVE IN CONVINCING AN OHIO BUSINESS
PERSON TO HAVE MORE CONFIDENCE TO INVEST MORE IN HIS OR HER
BUSINESS?
>> MAYBE TANGENTIALLY.
BUT I THINK IT'S KIND OF VERY INDIRECT.
I AGREE WITH BILL.
I THINK THE TELLING THING IS THAT THEY'RE PLACING ILGT
MOSTLY -- PLACING IT MOSTLY IN THE OHIO MARKETS.
THRIVE IN OHIO, TELL US YOUR STORY.
I WONDER WHAT THEY'LL DO ABOUT THAT INFORMATION.
HEY, WE EXPANDED HERE AND DID THIS AND THAT AND THEN THE
FEEL-GOOD STORIES START SHOWING UP IN LATER ADS WHILE THE
GOVERNOR IS RUNNING FOR RE-ELECTION.
THAT'LL BE REALLY TELLING.
>> WE GET BACK TO THE ORIGINAL QUESTION, WHY DIDN'T THESE RUN
BEFORE THE ELECTION?
>> ALL THE AD TIME WAS BOUGHT UP BY POLITICIANS.
IT HAPPENS.
IT WOULD HAVE BEEN LOOK AT KASICH TRYING TO AFFECT THE
ELECTION.
SO THERE IS A TALKING POINTS.
THE GUY IS TRYING TO BRING OUR STATE BACK.
IF HE DOES SUCCESSFULLY HE'LL BE EASILY RE-ELECTED.
I CAN UNDERSTAND WHY DEMOCRATS WOULD BE SORE ABOUT THAT.
>> I HAVE TO CRITICIZE -- ONE AD, PROBABLY A WEB AD, ALL
ROBOTICS.
IF YOU'RE SOMEONE LOOKING FOR A JOB AND YOU SEE ROBOTS PUTTING
STUFF IN THINGS -- HIGH-TECH, BUT I DIDN'T SEE ONE HUMAN IN
THE AD.
ANYWAY --
>> THEY'RE INSIDE THE ROBOTS.
>> CONTROLLING THE ROBOTS.
ANYWAY, IN A SPLIT DECISION, THE OHIO SUPREME COURT HAS UPHELD
THE STATE LEGISLATIVE MAPS DRAWN BY REPUBLICANS LAST YEAR.
DEMOCRATS CLAIM THE MAPS FOR OHIO HOUSE AND SENATE WERE DRAWN
PRIMARILY TO FAVOR REPUBLICANS AND TAPE THAT CLAIM THEY
VIOLATED THE OHIO CONSTITUTION.
WHILE ADMITTING THAT POLITICS PLAYED A ROLE, THE CONSTITUTION
DOES NOT DEMAND POLITICAL NEUTRALITY.
YOU'RE A SUPPORTER OF THIS EFFORT TO GET THE COURT TO
REDRAW THE MAPS OR THROW OUT THE OLD ONES.
I THINK A LOT OF FOLKS THOUGHT THEY MIGHT DO THAT.
WERE YOU SURPRISED THEY DIDN'T?
>> I MEAN, THE MAKEUP OF THE COURT YOU WOULD THINK IT'S
STACKED AGAINST YOU A LITTLE BIT.
BUT THEY HAVE BEEN -- YOU HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO PREDICT
THEM LATELY.
I HAVE BEEN ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF ONE RECENTLY.
INDIRECTLY.
HERE'S THE THING THOUGH.
I MEAN, THIS STATE IS AN EVENLY DIVIDED PURPLE AT BEST STATE.
WE HAVE CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS AND LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS THAT
ARE SO STACKED THAT IT'S HARD FOR ANYBODY TO HAVE A
COMPETITIVE RACE AND THAT IS DRIVING ALL THE PEOPLE TO PANDER
TO THESE PRIMARIES AND START PUSHING ALL THESE SOCIAL ISSUES.
AND THE SYSTEM HAS LET THE PEOPLE OF OHIO DOWN.
>> SHOULD COMPETITIVENESS, MR.
ATTORNEY, BE A FACTOR HERE?
>> IT'S FACTOR, BUT ONE OF THE HOEST FACTORS.
I REMEMBER IN THE MID '90s I WAS INTERVIEWED BY A YOUNG RADIO
REPORTER NAMED BILL COHEN.
HE SAID, WHAT ABOUT THIS REDISTRICTING LAWSUIT, BECAUSE
OF COURSE THERE WAS ONE THEN.
IF I REMEMBER TELLING BILL WAS TAKING POLITICS OUT OF
REDISTRICTING IS LIKE TRYING TO TAKE THE TOMATO OUT OF TOMATO
SOUP.
THE ENTIRE PROCESS IS POLITICAL AND THE VOTERS CONTROL IT WHEN
THEY SEND PEOPLE TO THE APPORTIONMENT BOARD.
WHAT THEY GET IS LINES THAT WILL OFTEN FAVOR THE PARTY IN CHARGE.
>> IT CAN BE MADE A LOT MORE FAIR AND PARTISAN.
BUT DEMOCRATS WHO ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE CURRENT
SYSTEM, BRIAN, YOUR COMMENTS WOULD HAVE MORE CREDIBILITY IF
WHEN THE DEMOCRATS WERE IN CONTROL YOU WOULD HAVE ALSO
OPPOSED THIS --
>> I PERSONALLY DID.
>> OKAY.
GENERALLY, ONLY THE PARTY THAT'S OUT OF POWER COMPLAINS HOW
UNFAIR THE SYSTEM IS.
WHEN THEY'RE IN POWER THEY'RE DRAWING LINES, THEY LOVE THE
SYSTEM.
>> I WAS GOING TO SAY, I DISAGREE WITH MARK JUST A LITTLE
BIT.
SURE, THE VOTERS HOLD THE PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE AND DECIDE THE
SYSTEM WHEN THEY SEND SOMEBODY TO THE APPORTIONMENT BOARD.
I BET YOU 95 OUT OF 100 OHIOANS CANNOT TELL YOU WHAT THE
APPORTIONMENT IS OR HOW REDISTRICTING WORKS.
>> I THINK THAT GOES TO MORE THE VOTER NOT PAYING ATTENTION, BUT
THE SYSTEM IS BUILT WITH CHECKS AND BALANCES AND THE ULTIMATE
CHECK AND BALANCE IS WHO THE VOTERS SEND TO COLUMBUS.
>> WHAT HAPPENS NOW?
BECAUSE BOTH SIDES IN THE ISSUE THAT'S LOST THAT WOULD HAVE
CHANGED THE PROCESS, BOTH SIDES SAID THAT THE SYSTEM NEEDS
REFORMING.
THERE WAS A REFORM EFFORT BY JOHN THAT THE DEMOCRATS
REJECTED.
ONE THING THAT BILL MENTIONED.
DOES THAT COME FORWARD NOW?
>> YEAH, I BELIEVE THAT THERE IS GOING TO BE AN EFFORT TO DO
THAT.
I THINK THAT THE REAL KEY ISSUE NOW IS GOING TO BE WILL IT BE
SOONER RATHER THAN 2020?
AND I THINK THAT THIS SETBACK MEANS IT'S MORE LIKELY NOT TO
HAPPEN UNTIL 2020.
>> NOW IS THE TIME TO DO IT.
>> AND JOHN HUSTED HAS BEEN A VOICE OF MODERATION, SOMETIMES
ANGERING HIS OWN PARTY.
>> HE WON A SUPER MAJORITY OF THE APPORTIONMENT BOARD SO THAT
WOULD ONE SIDE TO GET THE VOTE ON THE OTHER SIDE.
DO THAT NOW AND SAY IT TAKES EFFECT AFTER THE 2020 CENSUS?
WOULD THE LEGISLATURE GO FOR THAT, DO YOU THINK?
>> WELL, IT'S HARD TO KNOW WHAT THIS LEGISLATURE IS GOING TO DO
BUT I THINK THE KEY IS TO TAKE THE POLITICS OUT OF IT AND NOT
LET THIS HAPPEN.
ISSUE 2 MIGHT LEAD TO CHANGE.
>> BUT UNLESS BOTH PARTIES AGREE ON THE REFORM PLAN WHEN IT GOES
ON THE BALLOT IT WILL LOSE BECAUSE THERE WILL BE SOMEBODY
OPPOSING IT.
TELLING PEOPLE WHY THEY SHOULD VOTE NO.
AND IT'S LIKELY THAT THE PROPOSAL WILL BE COMPLEX, HARD
TO UNDERSTAND.
WHICH MAKES PEOPLE VOTE NO.
SO UNLESS BOTH PARTIES AGREE ON IT IT HAS VERY LITTLE CHANCE TO
PASS.
>> GET TO OUR FINAL TOPIC.
ANOTHER THING DYING IN THE LAME DUCK SESSION IS AN ATTEMPT TO
WEAKEN THE ENERGY EFFICIENCY STANDARDS.
UNDER RULES PASSED IN 2008, UTILITIES MUST REDUCE POWER
CONSUMPTION AND INCREASE EFFICIENCY UNTIL 2025.
UTILITY COMPANIES COMPLAIN THE STANDARDS ARE TOO COSTLY AND ARE
HURTING THE ECONOMY.
ENVIRONMENTALISTS DISAGREE.
REALLY FOUR YEARS INTO THE 17-YEAR PROCESS.
WHY ARE WE TRYING TO WEAKEN -- WHY ARE SOME TRYING TO WEAKEN
THEM SO SOON?
>> IT'S FIRST ENERGY TRYING TO WEAKEN THEM.
PEOPLE ARE ALREADY BUYING ENERGY EFFICIENT APPLIANCES.
FACTORIES ARE ALREADY BUYING ENERGY EFFICIENT HEATING AND
COOLING SYSTEMS AND ASSEMBLY LINES.
THERE'S NO REASON TO HAND THEM CHECKS TO INCENTIVIZE THEM TO DO
IT AND CHARGE EVERYBODY EXTRA MONEY TO PAY FOR THE WHOLE
PROGRAM.
SO THEY SAY WHEN DON'T WE REVIEW IT, SOFTEN IT, MAYBE GET RID OF
IT.
BUT THAT'S THE ONLY GROUP PUSHING IT.
THE LEGISLATURE EVEN GOVERNOR KASICH, A REAL PRO BUSINESS
REPUBLICAN GUY, HIS PRESS SECRETARY SAID, YOU KNOW, THREW
COLD WATER ON IT.
WE SHOULD KEEP IN MIND THE CHEAPEST AND CLEANEST ENERGY IS
THE ENERGY WE DON'T NEED TO USE.
THAT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE IT WILL GO ANYWHERE.
>> DOES FIRST ENERGY HAVE THE BACKING OF THE UTILITIES, OTHER
UTILITIES AROUND THE STATE OR GOING ON THEIR OWN?
>> THEY APPEAR TO BE ON THEIR OWN FOR THE MOST PART ON THIS.
AND QUITE FRANKLY I THINK IT IS, YOU KNOW, ONE OF THESE ISSUES
WHERE CERTAIN PARTS OF THE LEGISLATURE ARE PUSHING IT MORE
BECAUSE OF THEIR TIES TO THAT AREA OR FIRST ENERGY AREA AND
THE INFLUENCE --
>> BUT THERE'S AN ARGUMENT TO BE MADE, WHICH IS GOVERNMENT CANNOT
MANDATE TRUE EFFICIENCY.
LOOK AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.
CONGRESS SAYS TO AUTOMAKERS YOU MUST MAKE CARS THAT GET BETTER
MILEAGE.
YOU KNOW WHAT THEY DID?
THEY STOPPED PUTTING SPARE TIRES IN THE CAR AND GIVE THE RUN
FLATS BECAUSE THAT LOWERS THE WEIGHT AND THAT GETS YOU BETTER
MILEAGE.
WHEN YOU FORCE THINGS FROM THE GOVERNMENT SIDE AND MANY PEOPLE
DO WANT TO HAVE BETTER ENERGY SAVING DEVICES, THE MARKET IS A
MUCH BETTER WAY TO DO IT.
>> WE ARE SEEING THAT NOW WITH NATURAL GAS.
SEE COAL MORE EXPENSIVE NOW FOR UTILITIES.
FEWER AND FEWER COAL FIRED ELECTRIC PLANTS.
THAT'S WHERE THE MARKET IS DOING IT RATHER -- OF COURSE THE
GOVERNMENT HAS TIGHTENED THE RULES ON COAL.
>> THAT'S RIGHT.
>> AND FIRST ENERGY IS ABLE TO ARGUE, THINGS HAVE CHANGED A LOT
IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS.
ENERGY WAS VERY EXPENSIVE BEFORE.
NATURAL GAS IS SUPER CHEAP.
>> BUT A STICKING POINT FOR THE GOVERNOR AND FOR OTHERS BECAUSE
WE HAVE A HUGE INDUSTRY MAKING WIND TURBINES AND MANY PARTS FOR
SOME OF THE EFFICIENT LIGHT BULBS AND THOSE TYPE OF THINGS.
IT DOES HAVE A JOB EFFECT.
>> LET'S GET TO THE WEEKLY OFF THE RECORD PARTING SHOTS.
MARK?
>> ON THE WEST SIDE OF COLUMBUS SOMEONE CAME UP WITH A BRILLIANT
IDEA OF PLACING 100 HOMELESS ADULTS NEXT TO THE CHILD CARE
CENTER.
AND THEY'RE GOING TO PUT PORTABLE TOILETS IN THE PARKING
LOT.
A JUDGE WILL DECIDE IF ZONING REQUIREMENTS WILL BE MET.
I PREDICT HE WILL FIND THEY HAVE NOT.
>> YOU KNOW THE PAY DAY LENDERS ARE UP TO THE OLD TRICKS, TRYING
TO GET A TAX REDUCTION FOR ALL OF THEIR MONEY AND THEIR PROFITS
AS A CORPORATION IS MY UNDERSTANDING.
AND I THINK THAT THE SENATE IS PROBABLY GOING TO THROW IT OUT.
>> BILL?
>> I THINK THE GOVERNOR HAS A GOOD SHOT NEXT YEAR AT GETTING
LEGISLATORS TO APPROVE HIS CALL TO HIGH TAXES ON OIL AND GAS
DRILLERS.
BECAUSE I THINK THE INDUSTRY IS GOING TO BE BOOMING SO MUCH THEY
WON'T HAVE TO FEAR THAT A NEW TAX IS GOING TO DAMPEN THE
INDUSTRY.
BUT I THINK HE'S GOING TO HAVE TO MAYBE TO GET THE VOTES UNLINK
THAT WITH HIS PROPOSAL TO LOWER THE STATE INCOME TAX.
>> AND LAURA?
>> GIVEN THAT THE DEBT CEILING DEBATE BACK IN MID 2011 REALLY
DAMAGED THE MARKETS AND HURT THE U.S. CREDIT RATING I THINK WE'LL
SEE SOME SORT OF A DEAL ON THE FISCAL CLIFF.
BUT I THINK THAT WE SEAL SEE THE DEAL ON CHRISTMAS EVE.
>> CHRISTMAS EVE.
>> BECAUSE NOBODY WANTS TO SPEND CHRISTMAS ON THE HOUSE FLOOR.
>> ULTIMATE BARGAINING CHIP.
>> ULTIMATE BARGAINING CHIP.
LET LEVERAGE.
>> I PREDICT THERE WILL BE A DEAL TO SAVE THE NHL SEASON.
NEGOTIATIONS ARE FARTHER APART THAN THE NEGOTIATIONS IN
WASHINGTON OVER THE BUDGET DEBT.
BUT I THINK THAT THE NHL AND THE PLAYERS WILL COME TOGETHER AND
REACH A DEAL AND SAVE THE SEASON.
CHECK US OUT ONLINE, ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER.
AND GO TO OUR WEBSITE.
AND FOR OUR CREW AND FOR OUR PANEL, I'M MIKE THOMPSON.
HAVE A GOOD WEEK.
CAPTIONS PROVIDED BY WOSU-TV, THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY